Real Estate Papers
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
7-2015
Publication Source
Journal of Development Economics
Volume
115
Start Page
200
Last Page
216
DOI
10.1016/j.jdeveco.2015.02.001
Abstract
Predictable annual lean seasons occur in many rural areas, including West Timor in Indonesia. Imperfections in savings and credit markets make it difficult for staple farmers to convert harvest season output into lean season consumption. We conduct a randomized evaluation of a seasonal food storage program and a food credit program. By providing improved ways to transfer assets across seasons, each program functions as a subsidy on lean season consumption. We find that neither program had effects on staple food consumption. The storage program increased non-food consumption. The credit program increased reported income and reduced seasonal gaps in consumption. Our results are consistent with positive income effects through the expansion of budget sets, but suggest that the average household could be close to staple food satiation.
Copyright/Permission Statement
© 2015. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
Keywords
seasonality, food policy, food storage, food credit
Recommended Citation
Basu, K., & Wong, M. (2015). Evaluating Seasonal Food Storage and Credit Programs in East Indonesia. Journal of Development Economics, 115 200-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2015.02.001
Embargo Date
2-27-2018
Date Posted: 27 November 2017
This document has been peer reviewed.